Fire north of Auckland forces evacuations

One home and a number of mountain bikers are being evacuated as fire crews and helicopters battle a scrub fire north of Auckland.

Crews from 12 fire applicances and two helicopters were working to put out the fire in an area of forest around 150m by 50m, said a Northern Fire Communications spokesman.

Emergency services were called to the fire in Dome Valley, at around 3pm this afternoon.

The residents and cyclists have been evacuated as a precaution.

The cause of the fire is not clear at this stage.